David, I think I like you.

Hesperis, when you say you made $17 for 6 hours playing, I hope you meant averaged $17/hour! Even that is pretty lousy money for four people.

Willie-o, when I said that I hoped the kick-a-punk guy was bullshitting me, I meant about letting people kick him for money. Can you imagine?

Jim, you're right on about fiddling in the Farmer's Market being hard, hot and sweaty work! It takes an effort to keep smiling, especially when you're gripping the fiddle with your chin and the smile's a little forced anyway. The upside is that I get to show off my cool "fiddler's tan" to my friends - do you have one? (Fiddler's tan, I mean, not friend; sunburn on your right arm and right side of your throat, the left arm and left side of throat being shaded by the fiddle.)

All: I've started a relevant thread, Busking etiquette

Marion